2014 draft: Broncos at a glance

John Elway, the Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations, considers questions about his team's loss to the Blatimore Ravens in an AFC Playof game, during a news conference at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
— AP

John Elway, the Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations, considers questions about his team's loss to the Blatimore Ravens in an AFC Playof game, during a news conference at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
/ AP

In Elway's two seasons as general manager, Denver has won two AFC West titles. This year the Mules are heavy favorites to represent the AFC West in the Super Bowl tournament. They are threats to be drafting 32nd, where Super Bowl champions select. In fact, a starter for the franchise's two Super Bowl winners says Denver is home to the NFL's best team.

Peyton Manning will be 38 when the 2014 draft arrives. Will Elway draft a potential replacement? Doubtful. A month after signing Manning to a five-year contract, Elway spent a second-round draft pick on Arizona State passer Brock Osweiler. The gangly Osweiler, chosen in 2012, sat behind Manning last season. Elway didn't stop there. Last month he drafted Miami of Ohio's Zac Dysert, a passer I liked as a low-cost candidate for the Chargers. He went late in the seventh round.

The Broncos could have needs at safety, cornerback, middle linebacker and in the offensive line.

At safety, Elway is trying to get by. The projected middle linebacker, Nate Irving, a third-round selection of Elway's in 2011, is new to starting and has two career tackles.

Elway could be in the market for a left tackle if he doesn't work out a multi-year deal for franchise player Ryan Clady, who is coming off rotator-cuff surgery. Absent a new contract, the team could place a second franchise tag on Clady for the 2014 season. The right tackle, Orlando Franklin, may be more suited to guard. Center J.D. Walton was ordinary before an injury last September ended his 2013 season. His backup, Philip Blake, hasn't played in an NFL game and will be 28 in November.

Someday, the Broncos will need a replacement to Champ Bailey, their lead cornerback who will be 36 going into the '14 season.